Jennings Could Go From Bargain to Break-the-Bank — And the 49ers Might Have No Choice But to Pay

For the past two seasons, Jauan Jennings has been the San Francisco 49ers’ secret weapon.

He doesn’t show up in fantasy football lineups.

He rarely graces highlight reels or postgame interviews.

But ask anyone inside the building—from head coach Kyle Shanahan to quarterback Brock Purdy—and they’ll tell you Jennings is the type of player who wins games in the margins.

And now, for the first time in his career, Jennings holds something even more powerful than a key third-down conversion: leverage.

According to 49ers insider Matt Maiocco, Jennings may be in position to double his salary, thanks to a combination of timing, production, and the market forces swirling around the NFL’s wide receiver economy.

And while he’s never been the loudest presence in the room, the message coming from his camp now is crystal clear: it’s time to get paid.

Jennings, a former seventh-round pick out of Tennessee, wasn’t supposed to be a difference-maker.

Injuries and questions about speed dropped him down draft boards, and he entered the league as a long shot.

But over time, he built a reputation as one of the league’s most physical, dependable, and intelligent wideouts—especially on third down, where he’s become Brock Purdy’s safety net.

Whether it’s taking on linebackers in the slot, making contested catches over the middle, or throwing blocks that spring Christian McCaffrey loose, Jennings does the dirty work most receivers avoid.

It’s that versatility and toughness that has earned him the respect of coaches and teammates alike.

But respect doesn’t always equal compensation.

And now, with his restricted free agent tender locked in at $4.

89 million, Jennings has a unique opportunity to use his quiet value as a loud bargaining chip.

The wide receiver market has exploded in the last two offseasons.

Justin Jefferson just signed a record-breaking deal.

Players like DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St.

Brown, and Jaylen Waddle have all secured big extensions.

While Jennings isn’t in their tier statistically, his situational value and intangibles make him a different kind of asset—one harder to replace than numbers might suggest.

Matt Maiocco laid it out clearly on The Rich Eisen Show: the 49ers need Jennings more than people realize.

With Brandon Aiyuk’s long-term future uncertain and Deebo Samuel’s physical style carrying wear-and-tear risks, Jennings is the glue guy who makes the offense complete.

Letting him walk—or worse, undervaluing him—could unravel more than just depth.

It could shift the tone inside a locker room that thrives on trust and toughness.

It’s not just production that’s driving Jennings’ value.

It’s identity.

.

The 49ers pride themselves on being a physical, unselfish team.

Jennings is the embodiment of that culture.

His willingness to block downfield, to play through pain, to go over the middle in high-traffic zones—all of that sets a tone for the rest of the receiver room.

He may not have 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé, but he has something rarer: the full trust of Kyle Shanahan on third-and-seven.

That trust may now translate into dollars.

If Jennings and the 49ers can’t agree on an extension, he’ll play the 2025 season under the $4.

89 million tender.

But given his leverage, the smarter move may be locking him up now—before he plays himself into an even higher payday.

An injury to Deebo or Aiyuk, or another clutch playoff performance, could push Jennings’ price tag even higher.

From the team’s perspective, they could secure a known quantity at a price point that might look like a bargain a year from now.

Of course, the front office has other priorities.

Aiyuk’s contract remains the biggest looming decision.

Nick Bosa already broke the bank.

Fred Warner, Trent Williams, George Kittle—they’re all on premium deals.

At some point, someone becomes the odd man out.

But betting against Jennings being part of this team’s core has never worked out well before.

Jennings himself hasn’t spoken publicly about contract negotiations.

True to form, he’s kept quiet.

But those around him know the value he brings—and they’re ready to make that case.

His agent understands the shifting economics of the position.

The team does too.

The only question now is whether both sides will meet in the middle—or whether the 49ers risk letting one of their most reliable weapons test a market that’s suddenly very interested in players exactly like him.

For a team that came within minutes of a Super Bowl title, every roster decision matters.

The margin between finishing the job and falling just short is razor-thin.

Jennings may not be the flashiest player on the field.

He may not sell jerseys or win Offensive Player of the Year.

But in the trenches of a playoff game, when the defense knows what’s coming and it’s third-and-long, there’s a reason Purdy looks his way.

Jauan Jennings has found his voice, not through soundbites or social media, but through years of unglamorous, undeniable performance.

The 49ers can either reward that now—or risk learning just how loud that silence can become if he walks.